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Secret Executive Cabal

I have been reading the posts regarding the secret cabal that
rules our CEDA lives and must admit that I am a little
surprised.  I didn
t know that our elected officers were so
devious and underhanded.  I think I am surprised because I do
not agree.  I read many of these posts as a not so implicit
comment on the ethics of the people involved.  I do not know
everyone on the Executive Committee.  But I do know Pam and
Tuna.  In my opinion, these implications are one hundred and
eighty degrees off the mark.  It may only be my opinion, but I
think these back handed allegations are ludicrous.  
   Bear complains that no one on the Executive Committee had
the foresight to raise a format issue in enough time to change
the National Tournament. But then he also complains that the
agenda at business meetings is stacked to avoid taking action. 
You can not have it both ways.  If an Executive member had
proposed this, or something else, and stuck it on the agenda in a
place where it could have been dealt with, would you be
bitching because the agenda was manipulated?  Maybe we
should only elect people to the Committee that work at the
psychic hotline so they will be able to tell what issues will come
up a few weeks before the tournament.
  I do not think it was necessarily the Executive Committees
responsibility to raise the issue.  Bear, if you had raised this
issue back in October, maybe something could have been done.
But to raise it after the invitations went out and then have a
tantrum because they will not change the tournament gets no
support from me.
  I would be opposed to changing the tournament at this stage if
for no other reason than it sets a bad precedent. What would be
the last minute change the next year? And the next?  When is it
too late to change the tournament?  If I gather enough so called
support, can I change it immediately prior to the first round? 
By the way, did the NDT discuss changing times because
CEDA teams may attend?  I view the invitation as a sort of
document telling how the tournament will be that year. If the
invitations have already gone out, it is too late for that year.
Period.  
     Work to change it for next year if you like.  The Executive
Committee is remarkably open compared to years way back.  I
think these people should be commended for the time and effort
they give. We are a large and VERY diverse group when it
comes to our opinions on various issues.  Many of us
mistakenly think that the views expressed on the listserve are
the views of the entire membership. For any substantial change
in the organization or National Tournament, I appreciate that a
vote goes out to all the members.
     When you are called on your bitching, you hoist the old flag
I HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH! I HAVE FREEDOM OF
SPEECH!  Yeah, you do. The author escapes me at the
moment, but I heard an interesting quote about todays society.
It said that we all loudly claim our rights and privileges, but
conveniently forget our duties and responsibilities.  Any clown
can point their finger and complain (Lord knows, I have
probably done more than my share).  But if you want people to
view it as more than whining, then do something constructive
about it. Propose an amendment, or run for an office.  Or are
you afraid that people will sit back and complain about virtually
anything you do?
     I, for one, applaud the Executive Committee.  No, they are
not perfect. But they are doing a hell of a lot more than I am.

                                       Mark Whitney
                                       SUNY Morrisville
              (still ignoring those apostrophes)
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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